Motorized bed for vascular exercise



g- 3 1940- H. H. HOWELL ET AL 2,211,542

MOTORIZED BED FOR VASCULAR EXERCISE Filed Dec. l9,' 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 will 8 3% 5 K 46 Y INVENTORS' i I A I r 0 Harry hfl-fowe/l I 55 I I Q 64- 52 R/cfmrdfiQ/f/edge f l f MOTORERZED BED FOR VASCULAR EXERCISE Filed Dec. 19, 1958 2 Sheets-She et 2 Patented Aug 13, 1940 UNITED STATES MOTORIZED nan ron VASCULAR nxancrsn Harry H. Howell and Richard E. Rutledge, Kansas City, Mo.

Application Decemberlii, 1938, Serial No. 246,650

15 Claims. '(ol. 128-33) Our invention relates to motorized rocking beds, and more particularly to such a bed that is readily adjustable as may be required to obtain the desired therapeutic effects therefrom.

It is a purpose of our invention to provide a rocking bed of the above mentioned character that is provided with means for adjusting the same, so that the amplitude of the rocking movement can be varied, the speed of the rocking motion can be varied, the center of oscillation thereof can be varied, and the head and foot portions thereof can be adjusted to obtain any desired position of the occupant thereof that may be preferred.

It is a purpose of our invention to provide a bed of the above mentioned character that has a mechanism, for producing the adjustable rocking movements above referred to, which is simple and compact in construction and which requires a relatively small amount of power for operating the same, and which avoids any ungainly structure in the mechanism thereof that is undesirable in appearance and has moving parts, with which a person might come in contact in a manner that could cause injury.

- It is another particular purpose of our invention to provide means for varying the speed of the rocking movement without removal of any belts or other parts, the means for varying .said

3 speed being so constructed and arranged that any person without any,particular skill can adjust the speed of the device by operation of a simple lever.

It is an important purpose of our invention to 35 provide a rocking bed of the above mentioned character, having a frame that is mounted for rocking movement on a relatively fixedframe, which, however, is portable, and to provide the mechanism for producing the rocking movement I 40 on a frame that is adjustable relative to the fixed frame, said adjustable frame carrying a crank shaft, which is provided with a crank member that cooperates with suitable means movable as a unit with the rocking frame, to oscillate, or 45 rock, the same.

It is a further purpose of our invention to provide means for adjusting the relative rocking motion of the foot and head ends of the bed, by adjusting the axis of the crank shaft angularly relative to the axis of the shaftabout. which the rocking motion takes place, by adjusting the position of the adjustable frame relative to the fixed frame along with all the mechanism carried by said adjustable frame. 55 It is a further purpose of our invention to provide simple and effective means for adjusting the amplitude of the rocking, or oscillating, motion, comprising a member depending below the rockable frame and movable as a unit therewith,

' which member is provided with a guideway, in

which a rotatable member operates, which rotatable member in turn is adjustably mounted on a crank member provided on the crank shaft.

It is another important purpose of our invention to provide means for adjusting the position 19 of said rotatable member relative to the crank. axis, by means extending through the crank; shaft and projecting endwise therebeyond, so that adjustment of the length of the crank arm can be made while the bed is going through its 16 rocking motion.

It is another important purpose of our invention to provide simple and easily operable means for adjusting the foot end and head end of the bed, so as to raise and lower the same as may be 20 desired, said means comprising a single operating member at each end of the bed, raising both sides of the frame carrying the springs adjacent the head or foot end thereof, as may be desired.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will appear as the description of the drawings proceeds. We desire to have it understood, however, that we do not intend to limit ourselves to the particular details shown or described, except as defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l ,is a side elevational view of our im-- proved motorized bed; partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section, of a portion of the operating mechanism and adjusting means shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the adjustable variable speed driving mechanism and associated parts.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional. view through a 40 scale, through the swivel connection between one of the transverse members of the frame and a side member.

Referring in detail to the drawings, our im proved bed is shown in Fig. 1 in side elevation, and comprises a portable base portion having a framemade up of a pair of side members III, that are secured together by transversely extending members to provide a rigid frame having suitable casters thereon to make the bed portable. The side frame members iii are provided at their upper ends with bearing members l2 receiving the ball bearings l8, which are mounted on each end of the shaft i4, said shaft l4 being held from endwise movement by means of the plates i5 extending over the ends thereof and detachably mounted on the frame members iii. The side frame members l8 and the transverse members |8 connecting the same form a frame that is fixed relative to a rockable frame H, which is mounted on the shaft l4 havin depending ears |8 on the side members thereof, which have openings therein, through which the shaft extends, said shaft being non-rotatably mounted in said ears i8 by means of key members l8.

Said rockable frame H has mounted thereon, bed springs, which are provided with a frame made up of the hingedly connected sections 20, 2|, 22 and 28, and which has a head piece 24 and a foot piece 25. secured thereto. The frame i1, is provided with a rack-like member 26 on each side member thereof, with which the lower end portion of a supporting member 21, pivoted at 28 to the spring frame section 20, engages to adjustably support the section at various heights above the frame IT, as may be found desirable. In order to adjust the position of the body of the patient on the bed, otherwise than is possible by means of the member 21, and to provide for such adjustment in a simple and easy manner, I provide a rotatably mounted member 29 at each end of the bed running lengthwise thereof, one of said members being shown as being longer than the other, and said members being rotatably mounted in bearings in brackets 39, depending from the rockable frame substantially on the center line thereof. Said brackets also support a guide rod 3|.

Mounted slidably on each guide rod 3| is a follower 32, which has an internally screw-threaded portion 33 that screw-threadedly engages the screw-threaded portion 34 of the member 29, with which the same is associated. Each of said followers further has a pair of bosses 35 extending laterally therefrom that have pivot pins 36, which are headed over to pivotally connect the angle brackets 38 to said bosses 35. Said angle brackets 37 are also pivoted to the angle bar links 38 by means of rivets 39, thus providing a universal connection between the follower 32 and said links 38. Similar angle brackets 40 are pivotally connected, by means of the rivet members 4| and 82, respectively, to the members 38 and the side bars 43 of either the springframe section 23 or the spring frame section 2|, as the case may be. It will be obvious that as the follower 32 is moved along on the threaded portion 34 of the rotatable member 29, the links 38 associated therewith, will change their angular position, moving the spring frame section 2| or 23, as the case may be, upwardly or downwardly, as may be desired, the section 22 being in fixed position on the rockable frame Suitable cranks 44 are provided for rotating the members 29, said members 29 being provided with any suitable means for preventing endwise movement thereof in the bearings provided for the same.

The means for rocking the rockable frame i1 comprises a motor 45, which is provided with a shaft 48 having a pair of pulleys 41 and 48 of different sizes fixed thereto, to rotate therewith. Said motor is mounted on a bracket 49 on a housing 50, which constitutes part of an adjustable frame, or support, for the driving mechanism, producing the oscillating or rocking movement of the frame H. A pair of pulleys 5| and 52 are freely rotatably mounted on the shaft 58, which extends into the housing 58. A collar 54 is keyed to the shaft 53 between the pulleys 5| and 52 and slidably receives a clutch collar 55, which is held from rotation relative to the sleeve 54, by

means of a key 56 and a suitable keyway provided in the collar 55.

-Ratchet teeth 51 and 58 are provided on opposite end facesof the collar 55, and oppositely directed ratchet teeth 59 and 60 are provided on the pulleys 5| and 52, so that when the teeth 58 and are in engagement the collar will be rotated by means of the engaging teeth 58 and 80 at the same rate as the pulley 52, driven by the belt 6|, and the shaft 53 will rotate at the same speed as the pulley 52. At this time the pulley 5| will be rotating at a diflerent speed, but will be free of the shaft 53. When the collar 55 is shifted, by means of the clutch shifting lever 62, having a forked, or yoke-like, portion 63 engaging the groove 64 in the collar 55, so that the teeth 58 and 50 are disengaged and the teeth 51 and 59 are engaged, then the collar 55 will be rotated at the same speed as the pulley 5|, driven by-means of the belt 65 from the pulley 41, and the shaft 53 will rotate at the same speed as said pulley 5|. The shifting lever 62 is pivoted at 66 on any suitable supporting bracket 61 provided on the housing 50.

The shaft 53 extending into the housing 50, has a worm 68 formed thereon, which engages with the worm wheel 69 provided in said housing 50, said worm wheel 69 being provided with a tubular shaft portion i0 extending endwise from one side of the hub 7| thereof and rotating in a bearing i2, provided in one of the side members 13 of the housing 50. A similar bearing 12 is provided on the other side member 14 of said hous-- ing 50, and a sleeve 15 is mounted in said bearing member 12, said sleeve engaging the opposite face of the hub H from that provided with the tubular shaft extension iii.

Said shaft 10 constitutes a crank shaft. Mounted rotatably within the crank shaft is a shaft 76, which constitutes part of the adjusting mechanism for the crank mechanism, which will be described more in detail below. The shaft ":16, it will be noted, is mounted within the sleeve i5, which in turn, is mounted in the bearing 12. Thus the two bearings 12 act as a support for the worm wheel 69 and its projecting crank shaft 10. Secured to the tubular crank shaft portion 18, in any suitable manner, as by means of a set screw ii, is the hub portion 18 of a crank member.

Said crank member comprises an arm 19 extending radially from the hub portion 18 and having a guideway formed therein provided with inclined walls 80. Said arm is open at its outer .end 8|, but has a transverse wall 82 at its inner end, through which the enlarged end 83 of a screw-threaded shaft 84 extends. A collar 85 is secured to the enlarged portion 83 by means of a set screw 86, and a collar 81 engaging the end 'edge of the arm 79 is secured to the unthreaded end 88 of the screw-threaded shaft portion 84 by means of a set screw 89. The shaft 84 is thus .held from endwise movement relative to the arm 19. The hub portion 18 is provided with a recess 99, within which a bevel gear 9| is mounted, which is secured to the shaft I8, so as to rotate therewith.

Meshing with the bevel gear 9| is a bevel Gear 92, which is mounted on the portion 88 of the 5 threaded shaft 84, so as to rotate therewith. A hand wheel 93 having a handle 94 is keyed to the shaft 18 and held from movement relative to said shaft by means of the sleeve 18 and the nut 98 threaded on the reduced threaded end of said shaft is, It will beobviousthat rotation of the 4 hand wheel 98 by means of the handle 94 will 7 ly rotatably mounted on saidblock, as will be rotate the shaft 84in a direction corresponding to the direction of said hand wheel 98, that is,

rotation of said hand wheel in one direction will. 15 rotate the screw-threaded shaft 84 inone direcq tion, and rotation of the hand wheel 98 in the .bpposite direction will rotate the screw-threaded shaft 84 in the opposite direction.

The housing 50 has upwardly extending-arms .4 98 terminating in annular flange portions 91,

within which are mountedthe ball bearing members 98 for the shaft I4,- said shaft being freely rotatable in. said ball bearing members 98. The housing 50 and the parts associated therewith,

carrying the motor and the driving mechanism,.

hand wheel I04 having a handle I08 thereon.

which hand wheel is fixed to the shaft 99. That ,member I8 that is provided with the bearing I 40 is mounted to swivel on the side members I0 by means of headed members I88 screw-threadedly engaging in openings I38 in the side members I0 and having reduced end portions I91 pivotally mounted in openings I99 in the member I8, the

44 shoulders on said headed members being engaged by the end faces of said member I8.

Said shaft 99 has a threaded portion I08 and is provided with a pair of stop collars" I01 and I01 on the extremity thereof, the collar I01 being I 50 provided with a set screw. The screw-threaded portion I08 is screw-threadedly received in the versal connection is thus provided between the.

housing 50 and the shaft 99, and it will be obvious m that as the hand wheel I04 is rotated, the entire adjustable frame comprising the housing 80 will be swung about the axis of the shaft I4 to a desired angular position to obtain a position of the crank shaft I0, either .vertically'below the shaft I4 or lying in a plane extending at an oblique angle to either side of such a vertical plane extending through the axis of the shaft I4.

Keyed to the shaft l4, by means of the key member H5, is the hub portion II8 of a depend- 70 mg arm I", which depends below the rockable frame I8 and moves as a unit therewith, due to the provision of the keys H5 and I9. Obviously, the arm li'l could be made integral with the frame I9, if desired. The arm III is provided 10 with a guideway H9, being provided with side flanges forming said guideway. Mounted in the guideway H8 is a rotatable member comprising an inner member 9 and an outer member I20, between which the bearing balls I2I are provided. Said member I I9 is provided with a shaft portion 5. I22, in the form of a pin projecting from the block I24 having inclined side walls I28 corresponding to the inclined faces 80, provided on the guideway in the crank arm 19, so that said blockv m is slida'bly, but non-rotatably, mounted with- 1 in-the crank arm 19, the member I being freeobvious.v Y 1 Said member I20 is thus both .rotatabl-y and longitudinally slidably mounted within the'guide- 15 way H8 and moves upand down in said guidej way as the crank arm 'I 9'rotateswith the crank shaft I0, thus causing an oscillating movement ofthe member Ill and rocking the frame I8.

The amplitude of the rocking movement is varied 996 by movement of the block 124 in or out in the" guideway provided therefor in the crank arm" 19, so as to space the same at a desired distance from the axis of rotation of the crank. This isaccomplished by means of the threaded shaft 94, 25 which engages in a screw-threaded opening I28 in the block I24. It will be obvious that rotation of the screw-threaded shaft 84, by means of the hand wheel 93, will move the block in or out on the arm I9, depending upon the direction of .ro- 30 tation of the hand wheel 93. The 'side frame members I0 may be provided with suitable doors m, hinged at I28, and provided with a latch at I29 for providing access to the hand wheel 93,

,or any other parts that it may be desired to reach from externally of the frame I0.

It will be obvious that by manipulating the hand wheel E04. the character of the rocking motion can be altered, so as to provide for a rocking movement that is either entirely above a 8D horizontal plane, or entirely belowa horizontal plane, at either end of the bed, or any desired amount above and below such a horizontal plane' at either end of said bed. The amplitude of therocking motion is, of course, varied by adjustment obtained by means of the hand wheel 98, such adjustment being possible, as will be obvious, while the bed is going through the rocking motion. The rate at which the oscillation takes place is adjusted by means of the speed changing l0 lever 82 to obtain a plurality of speeds of oscillation of the device.

What we claim is:

1., In a bed of the character described. a fixcd frame, a rockable frame, means for mounting 08 said rockable frame about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said rockable framebetween the ends thereof to rock on said fixed frame, means for rocking said rockable frame about said axis comprising a crank mounted to 80 rotate about an axis parallel to said horizontal axis and means for rotating said crank about its axis, and means for varying the character of said rocking movement, comprising, means for adjusting the effective length of said crank and 05 means for angularly adjusting the axis of rotation of said crank about the rocking axis of said frame, comprising a mounting for said crank axis hung from said rocking axis to swing thereabout and means for adjusting said mounting on its axis and holding the same in adjusted position.

2. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame a rockable frame, means for mounting said rockable frame to rock on said fixed frame comprising a substantially horizontal shaft 76 mounted between the ends of said rockable frame, means "for rocking said rockable frame about the axis of said shaft, comprising a crank shaft, means for rotating said crank shaft, a crank therein, an arm depending from and rocking with'said rockable frame about said horizontal shaft, means for adjusting the throw of said crank, a rotatable member on said crank slidably connected with said arm, and means for adjusting the position of said crank shaft relative to the rocking axis of said rockable frame, comprising a. mounting for said crank shaft and crank carried by said horizontal shaft and adjustable about the same as a center.

3. In a bed of the character'described, a fixed frame, a rockable frame, means for mounting said rockable frame to rock-about a transverse axis on said fixed frame, means for rocking said rockable frame about said axis comprising a crank shaft, a crank thereon, means for rotating said crank shaft, an arm depending from said rockable frame and rocking therewith, means adjustably connecting said arm and said crank shaft, a screw-threaded member mounted for rotation on its own "axis and about a transverse axis on said fixed frame, a member mounted for pivotal movement about said transverse axis and carrying said crank shaft, a bracket member screw-threadedly engaged by said screw-threaded member, .and means pivotally mounting said bracket member on the member carrying said crank shaft.

4. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft, and means for rocking said rockable frame comprising a motor, a mounting for said motor hung from said shaft, speed reducing means carried by said mounting,

crank mechanism carried by said mounting, .a.

member rocking with said rockable frame, a driving connection between said member and said crank mechanism, and means for adjusting said mounting comprising a member mounted on said fixed frame and screw-threadedly connected with said mounting.

5. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft, and means for rocking said rockable frame comprising a motor, a mounting for said motor hung from said shaft, crank mechanism carried by said mounting, a variable speed drive between said motor and said crank mechanism, a member rocking with said rockable frame, a driving connection between said member and said crank mechanism, and means for adjusting said mounting to vary the position of the axis of rotation of said crank mechanism relative to said shaft.

6. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, said shaft extending transversely of said frame near the middle thereof, a rigid arm fixed to said shaft and depending therefrom, said arm having a guideway extending longitudinally thereof, a crank, a member rotatably mounted on said crank and slidably mounted in said guideway, and means for driving said crank to oscillate said arm and rock said frame, comprising a crank shaft and means for rotating said crank shaft hung from bearings on said first shaft.

7. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, .a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, said shaft extending transversely of saidframe near the middle thereof, a rigid arm fixed to said shaft and depending therefrom, said arm having a guideway therein, a crank, a member rotatably mounted on said crank and operating in said guideway, and means hung from bearings on said shaft for driving said crank to oscillate said arm and rock said frame, comprising a motor, a crank shaft, speed reducing means between said motor and said crank shaft, and a multiple speed drive between said motor and said speed reducing means, said rotatably mounted member being adjustable on said crank to vary the spacing thereof from the axis of rotation of said crank.

8. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, a rigid arm fixed to said shaft and depending therefrom, said arm having a guideway therein,

a crank, a member rotatably mounted on said crank and operating in said guideway, a crank shaft parallel to said first shaft, a mounting for said crank shaft mounted on said first shaft for rotation of said first sha'ft relative thereto, and an adjustable connection between said mounting and said fixed frame for shifting the axis of rotation of said crank shaft transversely of the axis of said first shaft, and means for driving said crank shaft to oscillate said arm and rock said frame.

9. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, an arm fixed to said shaft and depending therefrom, said am having a guideway therein, a crank, a block slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said crank, a member rotatably mounted on said block and slidably mounted in said guideway, a crank shaft having said crank mounted thereon, a screw-threaded member extending lengthwise of said crank, rotatable therein, and screw threadedly engaging said block, and means for rotating said screw-threaded member to adjust the spacing of said block from said crank shaft comprising a member rotatably mounted in said crank shaft and projecting endwise therefrom, and a driving connection between said last mentioned member and said screw-threaded member.

10. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, an arm fixed to said shaft and depending therefrom in fixed position relative to said rockable frame, said arm having a longitudinal guideway therein, a crank, a member rotatably mounted on said crank and operating slidably in said guideway, means for adjusting said member operating in said guideway on said crank comprising a member mounted for guided sliding movement lengthwise of said crank, a member rotatably mounted on said crank to extend lengthwise thereof and screw-threadedly connected with said slidably mounted member, means for rotating said last mentioned rotatably mounted member, and means for driving said crank to oscillate said arm and rock said frame.

11. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft, said shaft extending transversely of said rockable frame between the ends thereof, an adjustable frame mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted in hearings on said adjustable frame, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said adjustable frame,

a crank shaft rotatably mounted in bearings on said adjustable frame in parallelism to the shaft journaled in said frame and spaced therefrom, means for rotating said driving shaft mounted on said adjustable frame to move therewith, a driving connection between said driving shaft and crank shaft, a connecting member mounted on said fixed frame and adjustably connected with said adjustable frame to adjust said adjustable frame about the axis of the shaft journaled in said fixed frame as a center, a crank on said crank shaft, an arm fixed to said rockable frame, and an adjustable connection between said crank and said arm.

12. In a bed of the character described, afixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft, said shaft extending transversely of said rockable frame between the ends thereof, an adjustable frame mounted on and depending below said shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted in hearings on said adjustable frame, a driving shaft rotatably mounted in hearings on said adjustable frame, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in hearings on said adjustable frame in parallelism to the shaft journaled in said fixed frame and spaced therefrom, means for rotating said driving shaft mounted on said adjustable frame to move therewith, a driving connection between said driving shaft and crank shaft, a connecting member mountedon said fixed frame and adjustably connected with said adjustable frame to adjust said adjustable frame about the axis of the shaft journaled in said fixed frame as a center, said crank shaft being so mounted on said adjustable frame as to align vertically with said shaft journaled in said fixed frame in one adjusted position thereof, and to lie on opposite sides of said vertically aligned position in other adjusted positions thereof, a crank on said crank shaft, an arm depending from and fixed to said rockable frame, and an adjustable connection between said crank and said arm.

13. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame mounted on said shaft, said shaft extending transversely of said rockable frame between the ends thereof, an adjustable frame mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted in bearings on said adjustable frame, a driving shaft rotatably mounted in bearings on said adand an axis perpendicular thereto and universally and screw-threadedly connected with said adjustable frame to adjust said adjustable frame about the axis of the shaft journaled in said fixed frame as a center, said crank shaft being so mounted on said adjustable frame as to align vertically with said shaft journaled in said fixed frame in one adjusted position thereof, and to lie on opposite sides of said vertically aligned position in other adjusted positions thereof, a crank on said crank shaft, a-rigid crank arm fixed to said rockable frame, and an adjustable connection between said crank and said crank arm.

14. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame; a'rockable frame; pivot means for mounting said rockable frame to rock on said fixed frame about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said rockable frame between the ends thereof; means for rocking said rockable frame about said axis, comprising a crank shaft extending parallel to said horizontal axis in spaced relation thereto, a crank mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, means for rotating said crank shaft and means connecting said crank by said rocking means, comprising means for of said crank shaft about said rocking axis.

15. In a bed of the character described, a fixed frame, a shaft journaled therein, a rockable frame fixed'on said shaft to rotate therewith, an arm fixed to said shaft. and depending therefrom in fixed relation to said rockable frame, said arm having a longitudinally extending guideway therein, a crank shaft, a member rotatably mounted in said crank shaft and projecting endwise from one end thereof,'a crank fixed on the other end thereof, a screw-threaded member extending lengthwise of said crank and rotatably mounted therein, an adjustable memberscrewthreadedly mounted on said screw-threaded member and slidably longitudinally on said crank, a driving connection between said screw-v threaded member and the member rotatably mounted in said shaft, means on the projecting portion of said rotatably mounted member for rotating the same to adjust the position of said adjustable member, a member slidably mounted in said guideway and'rotatably mounted on said adjustable member and means for rotating said crank shaft to drive said crank and oscillate said arm to rock said rockable frame.

HARRY H. HOWELL. RICHARD E. RU'ILEDGE. 

